MSPs take evidence on childcare from Auditor General Caroline Gardner and Childcare Minister Maree Todd.
The lunchtime's member's debate marks UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Social security, communities and equalities ministers are quizzed during portfolio questions
MSPs debate the EU Continuity Bill for the final time
Tory MSP Annie Wells
Equalities Secretary Angela Constance says it met for the first time in February and three further meetings will be held this year.
A set of draft actions will be published in early 2019, she adds.
Tory MSP Annie Wells wonders about the recording of data to measure progress.
Ms Constance says the general approach is laid out on the equality evidence website.
Image source, Dave DonaldsonDavie spent much of his childhood on Traveller sites around Scotland
In December we reported that discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland had become the last form of "acceptable racism", according to a young campaigner.
Davie Donaldson, 19, said the public's view of Gypsy/Travellers had "remained stagnant" since the 1980s.
He said travellers faced discrimination in education and were often being prevented from setting up camps.
The Scottish Parliament's equalities committee is marking Human Rights Day 2017 by focusing on the issue.
Tory MSP Annie Wells asks the Scottish government when the Gypsy/Traveller ministerial working group last met.
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, external:
Image source, UN Office of the High CommissionerUN Office of the High Commissioner
The States Parties to the present Covenant,
Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Recognizing that these rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person,
Green MSP Andy Wightman asks the Scottish government what plans it has to incorporate the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights into Scots law.
Image source, bbcHousing Minister Kevin Stewart
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart says empty homes are a "blight" and points to actions the Scottish government and local government actions to tackle it.
Image source, bbcIn 2016 we reported that Scotland's local authorities had been urged to do more to tackle the problem of empty homes.
Around the country it was estimated there are about 34,000 private homes categorised as long-term empty.
That was almost the same number of households which made homelessness applications in 2015.
The Scottish government said it was committed to introduce legislation to reduce the number of empty homes, as well as vacant and derelict land.
Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald asks the Scottish government what its policy is regarding empty homes in the private sector.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon wonders when the interim report on the pilot scheme will be shared.
Ms Constance says the government hopes to complete this work before summer.
Equalities Secretary Angela Constance
Equalities Secretary Angela Constance says government officials are working with stakeholders to ensure provision for free sanitary products in schools can be put in place.
The pilot scheme to provide free products to deprived communities in Aberdeen is currently being evaluated, she adds.
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SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks the Scottish government what action it is taking to tackle period poverty.
Image source, Scottish governmentEqualities Secretary Angela Constance points us in the direction of her blog calling for the end to racial discrimination at the Fairer Scotland website, external.
Image source, UN/L:Logan AbassiInternational Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 21 March
The UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, external is observed annually on 21 March.
On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination(resolution 2142 (XXI)), external.
SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor asks what the government is doing to mark the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, following his member's debate this lunchtime.
Image source, PAScottish income tax: £15,000 salary
If you earned a salary of £15,000 in 2018/19 and had no other income, the personal allowance of £11,850 would be deducted and £3,150 would be taxable.
If you were resident in Scotland, your income tax calculation would be as follows;
Scottish starter rate - £2,000 at 19%= £380
Scottish basic rate - £1,150 at 20% = £230
Total tax = £610
If you earned the same sum of money but were not resident in Scotland the full £3,150 would be taxable at 20% (UK basic rate) producing an income tax bill of £630. Therefore, you would pay £20 less as a resident of Scotland.
Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale asks what action ithe government is taking to ensure that people do not lose Universal Credit because of the starter rate of income tax.
Ms Constance says the Scottish government is absolutlely committed to supporting those on low incomes and tackling inequality.
The minister details Scottish government actions in this area including the free baby box and free prescriptions.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Scottish government wants to reduce child poverty by tens of thousands in the next 12 years
Increasing key benefits could help to reduce child poverty in Scotland, a major report has said.
Scotland's Poverty and Inequality Commission, externalmade 40 recommendations including topping up the child element of Universal Credit.
It added that the ambitious target of cutting child poverty by 100,000 would incur "substantial costs".
Equalities Secretary Angela Constance welcomed the report saying a "delivery plan" would be presented soon.
Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton asks the government what support it offers to people from lower income backgrounds to tackle inequality.